In this winter 2021 series of “Inspiring Garden Design,” I’m including a topic that on its own I would not have considered–pools. But as I was scrolling through and daydreaming over past trips and sojourns, I found a pattern emerging…pools as part of an overall garden or a landscape scheme. Indeed, I had photographed them not because they were pools but that they were in service to a horticultural setting. Viewing this through a different lens, so to speak, I realized that they did belong in a post on Garden Design!

Without a doubt, the dreamiest setting for a pool that I have ever seen was a few years back during a Dallas spring. The artistry in creating a “water feature” that curved around an upper terrace ringed with daffodils was literally breathtaking. To cap off this setting, a creek runs along the wooded area of the property, complete with its own stone bridge (below and feature image above).

In California, atop a ridge overlooking the sweep of Los Angeles, an old, large oval pool captures the yesteryear’s of Hollywood, accented with tall Italian cypress. The perfect placement and a welcome view as one walks from the house to the surrounding grounds.

Following on in the Mediterranean spirit, a Palm Beach landscape was taken to another level with its pool that is just steps away from the stone lanai as well as the Inland Waterway. A lot of chic on a not large site.

In Atlanta, plantings and garden accents were given thoughtful attention as “dressing” for a statement house that is the centerpiece of the owners’ outdoor life.

Closer to home, a friend’s lap pool is on direct axis with one of his garden follies…and flows into another structure that houses both a library and a grotto. Don’t overlook the use of planted burms as a well-conceived choice to create a private setting for the pool.

Last winter in Lyford Cay, during their Design Weekend, one memorable setting took full advantage of a hill position looking across the island while at the same time affording a breathtaking view from the 2nd and 3rd floors of the home.

“Come on in, the water’s fine.”